Inspiration this time is perhaps unsurprising. While pondering gloomy thoughts about America many songs come to mind but Margo Price’s “All American Made” persists. This title track of her second album that was released in 2017 paints a bleak picture of America both domestically and overseas. Its grim message fades into a babble of political soundbites but perhaps the end is not the demise of the American dream? “I’m dreaming of that highway that stretches out of sight” suggests there may still be a glimmer of hope. That was then, today that flicker seems to be in severe danger of being extinguished altogether.
Co-written with husband Jeremy Ivey “All American Made” comes straight from the heart. Price sings in a voice that ranges from defiance to scarcely more than a whisper backed by guitars acoustic and electric both as sparse as the lyrics. As with much of the album Price tells of her own struggles but here she very effectively sets these in the context of national troubles. From her perspective; “And everything I say somebody says they / said it first / But I don’t need 10 million baby / just give me one that works / It’s all American made”, to “And I wonder if the President gets much sleep at night / And if the folks on welfare are making it alright / I’m dreaming of that highway that stretches out of sight / And it’s all American made”.
Price’s own struggles offer plenty of material. She lived through the huge loss of the family farm after which life was a constant struggle plunging to even greater depths with the death of her infant child. Price wrestled with that loss as booze and other intoxicants took hold. A couple of nights in jail represented the nadir after which, though making ends meet was not easy, her determination to prove herself musically was rewarded. During that time she had to sell her car and pawn her wedding ring to pay for studio time. However, along that tough road she had the support of Ivey, whose contribution cannot be underestimated.
As with her debut album, Price recorded in Memphis but replacing Sun Studios with the Sam Phillips recording studio. Either way, there is definitely a soulful feel that deepens her lyrical connections. ‘All American Made’ feels almost like a confessional. Emotions are laid bare and while the anguish and pain Price must have gone through are starkly evident, she has turned such experiences into a song that is aptly titled and pulls no punches.
